Dundee United defender Paul Dixon had acknowledged that there is a huge incentive to beat Falkirk this afternoon.
Should the Tangerines go down to the Falkirk Stadium and beat the Bairns they will be only three points behind Championship leaders Hibs, who are on William Hill Scottish Cup duty against Edinburgh rivals Hearts tomorrow.
Having been written off as title challengers by many after their January slump, to see themselves edge nearer to the Easter Road side would be hugely encouraging for the Tannadice team.
Standing in their way, though, is a strong Falkirk side managed by former United boss Peter Houston, who recorded an excellent victory over Dunfermline last Saturday.
United, of course, have already been defeated down there in mid-September, when they conceded two late goals to lose 3-1.
They hit back with a 1-0 success at home the following month so the matches have been close.
Dixon and his mates go into the fixture in fine fettle themselves, having seen off Raith Rovers 3-0 last weekend to end their winless streak.
He knows just what a difference a victory would make today.
Dixon said: “Of course, it is a big incentive, knowing that if we win we will cut the gap on Hibs to just three points .
“However, we need to fully focus on the game and make sure we do get the three points .
“That’s the main thing.
“We did hit a bit of a dip last month but that’s football.
“It is how you react to it and come out of it that matter.
“We needed to get ourselves back on the winning trail when we played Raith.
“It was a good way to do so, beating them the way we did.
“I also thought that in the Dunfermline game the week before we maybe deserved to win rather than draw.
“So we were glad to end that wee run we were on.
“I think we have reacted well and hopefully we can carry that on now to the Falkirk match.”
The victory over Rovers saw Dixon play some great stuff as he rampaged up the left flank, even providing the cross for Thomas Mikkelsen’s opening goal.
“I was happy with how I performed against Raith,” added Dixon.
“It was nice to get forward and do what I enjoy doing, that is putting balls into the box and getting forward to support the attacking boys to let them go and hurt teams.
“I just need to try and keep that form going until the end of the season.
“It’s been a bit of a stop-start season for me.
“I got my knee injury in pre-season then, when I came back, I felt I felt I was doing well after the operation.
“I then got my other knee injury but I’m feeling good now.”
Dixon is relishing playing with Dane Mikkelsen, who also bagged another goal against Rovers with a terrific looping header off a Simon Murray cross.
He said: “Thomas is good in the air and the cross from Simon came out of the sky from a great height for his second goal
“I thought it was a great header, considering the direction he put on the ball to put it back across the keeper.
“I played in the same side as Jon Daly here previously and Thomas and he are similar in height.
“They are different players but it was good to know when Jon was here that if you put the ball into the box nine times out of 10 he would get on the end of it.
“Hopefully, that’s the case with Thomas as well.”
The matches between these sides have been close and Dixon is expecting more of the same today.
He said: “I didn’t play in the game down there earlier in the season but in the one at Tannadice it could have gone either way.
“It was a case of who scored first would win and thankfully that was us.
“They also got two goals in quick succession down there to win yet another tight game.
“So were expecting another close one.
“We will be wary of Falkirk but will go there to win and try to play like we have done in the past couple of games .”
The Tangerines will be without suspended central defender William Edjenguele today.
Manager Ray McKinnon is expected to draft in Coll Donaldson to replace him but there are other options such as Sean Dillon and Lewis Toshney.
